I began writing these articles to supplement the textbooks I used teaching public relations. They filled in gaps, clarified concepts, explained how textbook theories applied to current events, and presented alternate views. I'm retired now but continue to develop these readings and make them available free of charge.

• You may read, quote from, download, and print a personal copy.
• But, they are copyrighted; you may not make or distribute multiple copies without my permission.

I'll be happy to give you permission to make and distribute copies for teaching purposes if you send me an email and ...

• tell me where and how you want to use them;
• acknowledge my authorship on the copies;
• and don't charge anyone for the copies you distribute.
   

-- Michael Turney, Ph.D., ABC      
Professor Emeritus of Communication &        
IABC Accredited Business Communicator        
turney@nku.edu        

Click to jump to a topic or scroll down to browse the complete list.

 
Crisis communication

Origin and need for public relations

 
Perspective on public relations:
Its origin and social need

• Managing personal and organizational encounters
• Perceptions can be direct or mediated.

TV mediates viewers' perceptions.

• Images can be natural or constructed perceptions.
• Are special events inherently deceptive?

 
 
Evolution of public relations:
A century of maturing as a profession

• The three phases of public relations development
• Publicity phase of public relations

"I don't care what the newspapers say about me ..."

• Explanatory phase of public relations

Ivy Lee was ahead of his contemporaries

• Mutual satisfaction phase of public relations
• Social movements and public relations development
• Is the practice of public relations really a science?
• Calls to re-invent public relations are not new

 
 
Shapers of public relations:
Key people in the history of public relations

• P.T. Barnum wanted newspapers to spell his name right.
• Amos Kendall wasn't a presidential press secretary.
• Ivy Lee was ahead of his time.
• Edward Bernays is called the "father of public relations."

 
 
Ethics in public relations:
Professional standards for practitioners

• Public Relations Codes of Ethics
• Journalism ethics do not apply to public relations
• Ethics became confusing as public relations evolved

 
 
Public relations planning:
Effective strategies are planned, not ad hoc

• Public relations planning is essential
• Quick and dirty planning may suffice
• KFD as the basis of a PR plan
• Developing a public relations plan

Strategic planning for First Prize Glass:
(First steps for a hypothetical company)

• Strategic planning steps

Strategic planning for public relations
(pdf how-to tip sheet)

• Tactical planning steps

Tactical planning for public relations
(pdf how-to tip sheet)

 
 
Media relations:
Using mass media to reach your key publics

• Advertising and publicity
• Working with the media

Spotting PR efforts in the news

"No comment" is never appropriate

• Issuing media advisories and alerts

Media alerts and advisories
(pdf how-to tip sheet)

• Visit, network and schmooze with media people
• Issuing news releases and other media information

News releases
(pdf how-to tip sheet)

• Host appropriate news conferences and media events
• Keeping pace with changing practices in journalism

 
What is public relations?:
Concepts of its role and functions

• Underlying concepts of public relations
• Interpersonal relations & public relations
• Duties and responsibilities of PR practitioners.
• Assorted Definitions of Public Relations (pdf handout)
• Still seeking a definition after all these years
• The changing names of public relations
• Don't denigrate public relations by what you call it
• What do you call yourself, PR practitioner?
• Calls to re-invent public relations are not new
• Acronyms for the public relations process

 
 
Public relations training:
Preparing to practice public relations

• Preparation and education for public relations
• Be as versatile as a Swiss Army knife
• Duties and responsibilities of PR practitioners.
• Intro PR textbooks reflect different perspectives
• Must-read books for public relations practitioners

 
 
Writing for public relations

• Focus on the audience, not the words

 
 
Public relations and marketing:
Using similar tools for different ends

• Public relations and marketing were initially distinct
• Boundaries blurred, then functions blended
• On the way to Integrated Marketing Communication?
• Advertising and publicity

 
 
Crisis communication:
Managing public relations in an emergency

• Crisis communication is The Olympics of public relations
• Performing public relations during a crisis
• "No comment" is never an appropriate response.
• Planning for a crisis

Six Steps to a Rudimentary Crisis Plan
(pdf tip sheet)

• Stay well-informed to be ready when a crisis hits
• Coping when a crisis hits

Performing public relations during a crisis
(pdf how-to tip sheet)

• Don't become a crisis communication hypochondriac
• Executions: a public relations crisis for electricity
  (explores the rivalry between Edison and Westinghouse)

 
 
Government public relations:
Critical concerns and limitations in the US

• Government public relations

Characteristics of government employment

• Inappropriate public relations activity by the Pentagon
• The Ballad of Amos Kendall
  (He wasn't the "first presidential press secretary")

 
 
Recent trends and changing practices:
Public relations continues to adapt

• Calls to scrap PR aren't new
• Changing names of public relations
• Content curation - a new role or merely a buzzword?
• Employee relations is relatively new in public relations
• Gamification isn't limited to public relations
• Integrated Marketing Communication
• Keeping pace with changes in journalism